1. 2015 OFLA Annual Conference Kalahari Resorts & Conventions
SINK or SWIM: Get on Board with Sandusky, OH April 16-18, 2015
Proficiency BasedInstruction
A Case of Individualized Italian Instruction
Fernanda Capraro, Ph.D.
Otterbein University
Adjunct Instructor
English as a Second Language Program
A. Description:
1. 12 Individualized Lessons: Beginning Italian
 Freelance instructor - listenandlearn.org
 July – August 2014
 1-2 times per week for 2 hours
2. Female Student: Retired Professional
 Traveled to Italy
 Enjoyed the culture
 Another trip - September 2014
B. Learning Goals:
1. Speak the language
2. Brain exercise
3. Become multilingual
4. Focus on listening and speaking skills
C. Italian Lessons:
Week 1 –
• Pronunciation Guide
• Map of Italy
• Andare verb, conjugations
• Una bomboniera (fancy sweet box)
Week 3-
• Caffé menu
• Family Members
• Definite articles
• Map of Wine Regions
Week 2-
• Greetings & Introductions
• Class vocabulary
• singolare/plurale
• Una, un’, uno, un
• In a coffee shop (caffé)
• Luoghi (ristorante, banca,
piazza)
Week 4-
• Una casa
• Short reading, L’arrivo
and questions
• Dialogo – La prenotazione
(reservation)
• Mesi e giorni (months & days)
• Telling time
• Hand gestures (video)

2. Week 5-
 Che tempo fa? (How is the weather?)
• L’orario (Train schedule)
• Voglio/Vorrei (I want / I would like)
• Short reading – Una prenotazione
and questions
• La prima colazione (breakfast)
• Subject pronouns & -are verbs
Week 7-
• Questions with –are verbs
• -ire and –ere verbs
• Irregular verbs (andare, venire,
fare, dare, e dire)
• Women’s clothing
• Food stores, dialogo
D. Benefits of individualized instruction:
 Student-directed learning.
 Student and instructor are motivated.
 Practical, functional language learning.
 Student sets the pace.
References
Danesi, M. (2014). Learn Italian the fast and fun way. Hauppauge, NY: Barron’s.
Danesi, M. (2012). Practice makes perfect: Italian conversation. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Fisher, C. (). Differentiated instruction in the world language classroom. Retrieved April 10,
2015, from http://blog.calicospanish.com/2011/09/19/differentiated-instruction-in-
the-world-language-classroom.html
Lazzarino, G., Mauri Jacobsen, M., & Bellezza, A. M. (1995). Prego! An invitation to Italian
(4th Ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
Theisen, T. (). Differentiated instruction in the foreign language classroom: Meeting the diverse
needs of all learners. Retrieved April 10, 2015, from
http://tonitheisen.wikispaces.com/Differentiated+Instructional+Strategies
Tomlinson, C. A. (2000). What is differentiated instruction? Retrieved April 11, 2015, from
http://www.readingrockets.org/article/what-differentiated-instruction
Tomlinson, C. A. (1999). The differentiated classroom: Responding to the needs of all learners.
Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Yatvin, J. (2004). A room with a differentiated view: How to serve all children as individual
learners. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
Contact Information: fernanda.capraro31@gmail.com
Week 6-
• La Tavola (The Table)
• The main and evening
meal,
dialogo – I ristoranti
• Review –are verbs,
esercizi
• Ferroagosto – reading
& video
• Prepositions
(contracted)
• Numeri